QuEST Program Has Ended

Quaker Experiential Service and Training (QuEST) was a program sponsored by the University Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Located in Seattle, Washington, QuEST’s mission was to build a peaceful, just, sustainable world by empowering young adults to act as agents of social change and social service during a year of service and throughout their lives. The program was based on the belief that young adults are at a crossroads. The program brought them together to practice integrating peace, simplicity and community into their lives and work.

Sadly, the QuEST Program ended in 2023. Several heavily-weighted factors influenced this difficult decision, including the following:

• An insufficient number of agencies, applicants, and committee members

• Directorship turnover

• Inadequate funding

• Unsustainable health insurance and inequitable healthcare funding

• The ongoing lack of ADA compliance/accessibility of Quaker House

Moreover, the job market and hiring environment had significantly transformed, most noticeably during the last five years, from the program’s perspective of community, simplicity, social change and social service. 

More than thirty years ago, QuEST was a brilliant and needed solution for the time.  It created an avenue for young people to connect with social justice agencies, nurture and thrive in intentional communities, do meaningful work, gain professional experience, and connect with each other.  QuEST not only impacted the numerous lives of Interns/Fellows during a pivotal period of self-discovery, it enriched dozens of social justice communities with an influx of new energy/ideas/passion embodied in the program’s participants.

The QuEST committee is grateful to all of the Alum, past committee members, Friends from the University Friends Meeting and South Seattle Friends Meeting, Agency supervisors, and beyond who have witnessed and supported QuEST through its 31 years. A total of 188 young adults have participated in the QuEST program and have collectively served 57 unique agencies in the Greater Seattle area. Thank you for your service!

Questions about QuEST can be sent to office@ufmseattle.org, which will forward them to the appropriate person.